Born at Barrhead, Alberta on 16 February 1923, the son of pioneers, he was studying Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan when he suffered a terrible diving accident in Flin Flon. Amazingly, despite suffering a severe spinal injury, Liss regained the ability to walk and also met the local woman, Dorothy Jean Young, that would become his wife. After recovering, he took a position with the Hudson’s Bay Mining and Smelting Company, where he worked for 38 years. He served in leadership positions in Northminster United Church, Flin Flon Community Club, Flin Flon School Board and the Northern Lights Manor, as well as serving the Kinsmen and Glee Clubs and the Rotary Club International.